SOLVED: Meaning of ETA, ETD, ATD, & ATA in Shipping (2024)

In the dynamic realm of maritime logistics, precise timing is paramount. Explore what is ETA and ETD predictions, and also ATD and ATA. Discover how powered by advanced AI algorithms, these predictions are reshaping the efficiency and sustainability of global shipping operations.

The key takeaway of the article:

• Precise ETA and ETD are crucial in the maritime industry to streamline operations and reduce port congestion.
• Inaccurate arrival times lead to supply chain disruptions and environmental inefficiencies.
• Advanced AI algorithms, like Sinay’s, offer solutions for accurate prediction and optimization.

You might also like…

How ETA is computed using artificial intelligence

Accurate ETA to lower turnaround time

How is ETA computed using AI

A guide to understanding the different sources of the ETA

ETA API

In the shipping industry, it is expected that cargo gets to the right place at the right timeand that the delivery of goods goes smoothly.Companiesand people around the globe rely onprecisepredictions of when a vessel will arrive witha shipmentofgoods and services.

For instance, during the COVID19 pandemic, medical personnel counted on the arrival of essential equipment to savethousands oflives. Most equipment to handle COVID19such as masks,respirators, and vaccines wereand areshipped by sea.

However,particularly in the maritime industry, apreciseprediction of when avesselwill arrive and departisextremely faulty. In fact, only about 50% of vessels arrive when predicted.

With a rise in global trade, tracking vessel times is more important than ever.

Therefore, the shipping and maritime industryhas taken well known termsregardingarrival and departure timesand recreated definitions based on their activities.

This articlewill go over the specific terms for arrival and departure for the maritime industry and show how the Sinay ETA Modulecanrevolutionizethe shipping industry and port congestion with accurate predicted times.

…is when ashipor vesselis expected to arrive at a specific destination.It also helps to see the expected duration of avessel’sroute.The goal is toalways be informed about the progress of an ocean sailing vessel.

Example:Avesselleaving from Los Angeles will have an expected timethatit is supposed to arrive in Rotterdam.KnowingapreciseETA allows port authorities tobepreparedfor thevessel’sarrival.

Impact:An accurate ETA can make entire supply chains more efficient and reliable, affecting stakeholders worldwide.

…is when aship or vesselisexpected to depart.

Example:Avesselleaving from New York will have an estimated time of when it is supped to leave the dock.

Impact:This is important because this time will show how long avesselwill stay at the dock.It will also help to manage when the nextvesselcan dock in the port.

…is when aship or vesselactually arrivesat the dock.

Example: The time of arrival can be close to the predicted time or very different.

Impact:If avesselactually arrivesearly or late, this will cause an issue for port congestion. Already ports are crowded, so the closer the ATA is to the ETA, the better.

…is when aship or vesselactually leavesthe dock.

Example: The time can also be close to the predicted time or extremely different.

Impact:The actual time of departure communicateswhetherthevesselwason schedule. Like ATA, it is important that ATD is as close to the ETD as possibletooptimizesupply chain logistics.

The goal is that ATA and ATD are the same times as ETA and ETD

Estimated and actual times of arrival and departure areextremelyimportant to the maritimeindustry.

Currently, there are a lot ofproblemssurroundingpreciseestimated times. This causes issues thathavea domino effectacrossentire supply chains.

Portauthorities needprecisetimestoreduce congestion, to improve safety and better allocate resources, and to make their port more competitive. This allows port authorities to reduce congestion in port waters as well as to reduce truck traffic outside of the port. When the exact ETA and ETD is known, activities can be better coordinated for all operations. For example, trucks would no longer have to wait extra days to transport cargo, as the process would be optimized. This cuts costs and saves time.

Plus,with reduced congestion, less CO2 is emitted,which equally helps the environment.

Planningand scheduling vessels must be improved due toan increase in globalization andintense global congestion. For instance, a vessel may arrive on time to a port, but if other vessels are late,then the vessel who arrived on time may still have to wait days before docking and berthing. If port authorities knew in advance, they could redirect vessels and better schedule for arrivals.

Businessesand customers use shipping as a main way to order items for their commercial activities. Thus, it is imperative that shipping be moreprecise. As the world population increases, globalization, demand, and ship size and trafficalsoincrease.A solution forpreciseETA and ETD must be implemented for the industry to remain reliable in the upcoming years.

An accurate ETA helps BCOs (importers of cargo) around the world organize when goods and services will arrive. BCOs rely on precise times for the delivery of goods. Their business activities depend on goods and services every day that arrive on vessels, so an expected time of arrival helps to ensure goods and services are always in stock. This is important regarding BCOs, as some importers even pay more to ensure accurate ETA and ETD of cargo. Further, importers want to know exactly where their cargo is, yet currently most cargo is not tracked, and ETA and ETD are rarely precise.

Large maritime companies handle shipments all over the world. When shipping across the world, a ship may leave from Rotterdam then leave a container with a different ship in Australia. If the ship leaving from Rotterdam is late and a container for one of the BCOs is then left on the quay in Australia, this will produce hefty fines for them. Whereas if the vessel and container were tracked, then business operations could be rearranged to handle the late ETA of the vessel.

Overall, it isimportantfor maritimecompanies to be able toprovideaccuratereal-time ETA datatoimproveclientrelationsandcompetitiveadvantage.

To obtainpreciseestimatedtimesof arrival and departure, Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, and IoT sensors must be used.
In today’s digitalized world, this is entirely possible. IoT sensors can be attached to ships to track their routes. Then the data collected can be plugged into AI algorithms that can calculate estimated times of arrival and departure based on numerous events. The ocean is constantly changing, and so it is normal that the ETA changes too. What is important is that key stakeholders remain aware of these changes, and that authorities better prepare for arrivals so that congestion is reduced.

Sinay, with their team of AI experts, developed a software based on powerful AI algorithms, the Sinay Hub, that can analyze and predict shipping estimated time of arrival and departure using real-time data.

WithAI algorithmslike Sinay’s, the maritime industry can makeaccuratedata-driven decisions, as ETA and ETDarethe foundation of an efficient supply chain. With an increase invisibilityof all vessel activity, BCOs, shippers, and carrierswill improve businessefficiencyby being able to forecast ETA and ETD.

Accurate ETA and ETDcanchange the entire shipping industry, and this extreme accuracy is onlypossible with advanced and powerful AI algorithms. Ifports and shipping companiesworldwideadoptasoftwaretotrack vessel routes and predict ETA, thenthere will be a multitude of benefits includingbut not limited to:

• Timely arrival of goods and services
• Supply chain improvements
• Reduced port congestion

• More optimized shipping routes
• Reduced fuel consumption
• &Environmental impact improvements

PreciseETAwill continue tochange the future of the maritime industry.